BEIRUT, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon Wang Kejian said on Monday that China will continue to support the Lebanese army, the National News Agency reported.

"China intends to approve donations for Lebanon's military institutions," Wang said.

Wang's remarks came during his meeting with Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Bou Saab to congratulate him on his new role in the new government.

Bou Saab praised the strategic and historic ties between the two countries while hoping China to speed up the military donation that it intends to offer to the Lebanese army.

China provided great military support to Lebanon in 2015 when the Lebanese army was fighting against the Islamic State and al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front fighters on its northeastern border.

Lebanon also inked in 2016 a military grant agreement with China whereby China has prepared a military aid program for Lebanon that extends over years.